Eitel's (restaurant)

Culled from: Drury, John. Dining in Chicago, New York: The John Day Company, 1931, pp. 218-219.

Note: The Newberry Library holds the personal papers of author John Drury.

EITEL'S, Northwestern Station, Caital and Madison Streets

You could not want a better place in which to eat between trains than the series of dining rooms conducted by Robert and Max Eitel, members of the famous Chicago family of caterers and restaurateurs, in the terminal of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. The main dining room, a dignified elegant place on the second floor, even ranks as one of the important restaurants of the town, for many noted people lunch here from office buildings at the west end of the downtown district. It is one of the favorite eating places of Edward Price Bell, dean of foreign correspondents of the Chicago Daily News and the late Walter Strong, publisher of the same paper always ate here (the Daily News is located across the street from the Northwestern Station) ; Fred Sargent, president of the Northwestern Railroad; Herman Black, publisher of the American; and Bill Hay, the popular radio announcer of Station WMAQ. Chris, the head waiter, knows them all and they all know him. No better roast beef can be found anywhere in town than that served here. An expert chef from Munich presides over the kitchens and it is plain that he knows his business. Meals a la carte and table d'hote. Luncheon 75 cents; dinner $1.00 and $1.50. Afternoon tea, while waiting for your train, is pleasant on the Terrace. Eitel's lunch room, where the same foods are served, is on the first floor of the station and consists of both counter and table service. Many North Shore commuters purchase their bakery goods and pastries at the Eitel Bakery, which adjoins the main floor lunch room. Robert and Max Eitel are brothers of the Eitels who conduct the well-known Bismarck Hotel in the Loop.